Business Group Boosts MUW Scholarships

COLUMBUS, Miss. – With service in mind and a mission to provide opportunities for women, the Columbus American Business Women donated $500 to the Dr. Delene Willis Lee Scholarship Fund.

The check was recently presented to Andrea Stevens, executive director of development and alumni, by Columbus American Business Women President Jo Ann Ferguson and Vice President Leslie Webber.

“Scholarships have been one of the service projects for many years, with women achieving their goals and returning into the work force,” said Ferguson.

The organization’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

In 2008, an anonymous donor endowed the Dr. Delene Willis Lee Scholarship Fund to assist other non-traditional students living in a 40-mile radius of The W with preference given to students from Lowndes County.

During her time at MUW, Lee served as vice president for financial affairs and interim president. She was a former professor of education and human sciences.

Lee also was credited for implementing and directing the Leadership Program for Women, which emphasized education and career development for women.

Ferguson and Webber invited women, regardless of their status, to attend the organizations’ monthly luncheon, which is the third Wednesday of each month at noon at Lion Hills Country Club.

“We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in January 2015; all are welcomed.”

The Columbus Anniversary Chapter of American Business Women received its charter January 1990.